This nationally recognised qualification will qualify you to become a Patient Transport Officer (PTO) and is the ideal first step into a career in healthcare.
Patient transport is a service provided for patients whose condition is non-life threatening and who cannot transport themselves to and from their home to a medical facility. The interactions that a patient has with their patient transport officer can make a huge difference in their medical care experience, putting them at ease and ensuring they feel cared for.
No experience is necessary to start this patient transport course, you’ll learn all the theory online and build your practical, hand-on skills in a 5-day clinical workshop.
Choose your own schedule and fit study into your lifestyle or work roster
Developed by industry-trained and qualified healthcare experts
Learn alongside and be supported by your peers and APC’s dedicated team who are committed to helping you
Non-emergency patient transport is a critical and growing part of Australia’s healthcare system — and the demand for qualified Patient Transport Officers (PTOs) is increasing. In particular, job opportunities are expanding across Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, where private healthcare providers, ambulance services, and hospitals rely on trained PTOs to support daily operations.
Major employers such as Medical Edge, St John, Airmed, Groundmed and others partner with APC to actively recruit skilled students and offer flexible employment arrangements, including full-time, part-time, and casual roles.
This career offers a practical, stable entry into healthcare with real impact — every day, you’ll support patients by ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and cared for during their medical journeys. It’s a role that combines technical skill, compassion, and professionalism.
If you’re seeking a meaningful job that gets you moving, helps people directly, and opens doors to further healthcare study, non-emergency patient transport could be your ideal path.
If you’re compassionate, reliable, and enjoy helping others, a career in non-emergency patient transport may be your ideal path into the healthcare industry. As a Patient Transport Officer, you’ll build the skills to respond calmly in diverse situations, communicate effectively, and ensure safe, dignified patient transfers.
This course is a great fit for:
New entrants to healthcare looking for a practical, hands-on role that doesn’t require prior experience
Career changers seeking meaningful work that balances structure with independence
Parents and caregivers who need flexible work options that fit around family commitments
University students studying health-related degrees who want paid clinical experience alongside their studies
Former defence or emergency services personnel exploring a civilian healthcare career
With options for part-time or flexible shift work, becoming a Patient Transport Officer offers both job security and a healthy work–life balance — while laying the foundation for further study in paramedicine, nursing, or emergency health care.
The HLT31120 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport is an entry-level qualification that is the first step into the career of healthcare.
To be awarded the HLT31120 Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport, you’ll need to complete the following 13 units
We provide an award-winning online learning experience that adapts to your lifestyle. In 2024, we were proud to receive the Training Excellence Award, at the Australian Business Awards for our course design, which underscores the quality and relevance of our training.
With our flexible online platform, you can complete your units and assessments anytime, anywhere, giving you the freedom to study at your own pace. The platform is designed to engage you through dynamic content and interactive modules, providing a strong theoretical foundation in emergency healthcare. Whether you’re at home, on the go, or balancing work and study, our online system allows you to learn wherever it’s most convenient for you.
Our online learning is paired with expert support and resources to help you succeed. You’ll have everything you need to complete your coursework and prepare for the hands-on elements of the program, like workshops and clinical placements.
Clinical Workshops are a key component of the course, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learned online in a hands-on environment. These workshops are held in cutting-edge facilities across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. Here, you’ll practice real-world skills and gain vital experience in emergency healthcare scenarios. The 5-day workshop will give you the opportunity to refine both your theoretical and practical knowledge, which is widely considered one of the most valuable aspects of the course.
To be admitted to this course, you must meet specific eligibility requirements. When reviewing your application, we consider these factors to ensure you are prepared for both the academic and practical components of the course.
Clinical Workshops, prior to the time of booking:
Both CT and RPL offer valuable opportunities to help you complete your course faster. Speak to an APC course advisor today to determine your eligibility and find out how we can help you accelerate your studies.
Credit Transfer is available to students who have previously completed units of study that are equivalent to those in the HLT31120 Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport. Successful CT applications can reduce your course fees and may shorten the duration of your studies by giving you credit for units you have already completed.
RPL is available for students who have gained skills and knowledge through work experience or informal training. After you’ve enrolled in the course, an RPL application can be submitted to assess whether your prior learning aligns with the course competencies. While RPL may reduce the number of units you need to complete, it does not affect the price of your course. Our team will guide you through the process to ensure that your experience is accurately recognised and assessed.
If you haven’t connected with an APC Course Advisor yet to discuss course fees, we would recommend you to do so to ensure you know the best payment options to invest in your future. In the meantime, explore our course funding options listed below.
Many students choose to pay for their course upfront as it allows for stress-free finances while working towards a new career or upskilling in the workplace. By paying upfront, you can focus entirely on your education without any ongoing financial obligations.
If you’re unsure how to finance your studies, APC’s payment plans are a popular and easy-to-apply option.
When you speak with your APC Course Advisor, they’ll walk you through the available options and help you customise a plan fit to your needs. Whether you prefer weekly or fortnightly payments or want flexibility in the repayment duration, we can tailor the schedule to suit your financial situation. Plus, you have the option to make bulk payments if you wish to pay off your course sooner.
A Patient Transport Officer (PTO) is responsible for providing transport for patients to and from medical facilities. Additionally, they are in charge of maintaining and operating patient transport vehicles and providing excellent customer service to patients.
The interactions a patient has with a PTO can make a huge difference in their medical care experience, putting them at ease and ensuring they feel cared for.
Becoming a PTO could be a rewarding career path if you enjoy driving and connecting with a range of people from different generations, cultures and backgrounds. Many of our graduates work with some of the biggest employers in the industry, many of whom are also our Industry Partners.
Additionally, many students choose to work part-time or casually in the industry while pursuing further study at university to become a paramedic. This allows them to gain valuable real-world experience while continuing their education, setting them up for a successful and rewarding career in the healthcare field.
Consider studying our HLT51020 Diploma of Emergency Health Care for more employment and further study pathways.
We’re proud to partner with over 20 established organisations across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, creating employment opportunities for our students and graduates. Learn more here.
Hear directly from our students as they share their journeys, experiences, and the impact APC had on their healthcare careers. See many more student story videos here.
Paris gained employment as a Patient Transport Officer with AirMed while studying with APC.
Tasha gained employment as a Patient Transport Officer with Medical Edge upon graduating with APC.
After 32 years in the Defence Force, Lou changed careers and found her passion through Non-Emergency Patient Transport.
I chose APC because of the flexible learning. I prefer online study and can set my own pace, which is great with my unpredictable work hours. The support has been fantastic, and even with placement, the team is always there to help if you need assistance.
Tyler Franklin, APC graduate
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Thousands of students have chosen APC to launch their careers in emergency healthcare. We’re also trusted by major employers across Australia and New Zealand—many of whom hire directly from our graduate pool. Read what our students have to say on Google and Trustpilot.
Apply using through our application form and one of our experienced Career Advisors will give you a call to discuss your pre-hospital healthcare course options and answer any questions you have.